3M launches Ask 3M AI assistant for industrial material selection

3M has unveiled Ask 3M, a new AI-powered digital assistant designed for industrial customers. Available now at ask.3m.com, the tool provides direct, self-service access to 3M's deep technical expertise in materials science. It is built on verified documentation and application knowledge spanning the company's 49 technology platforms, ensuring responses are grounded in validated product data — not open internet search results. The initial release focuses on industrial adhesives and tapes, with plans to expand to other categories over time.

Users can ask questions in plain language, such as “Which structural adhesive can bond carbon fiber and aluminum?” or “Compare 3M VHB Tape 5952 vs. Adhesive Transfer Tape 468MP.” The assistant recommends specific products, links to authorized distributors, and allows users to download source documents within the conversation. During development, a production engineer used Ask 3M to solve a real challenge: bonding polypropylene thermoplastic to insulation foam in a sheet metal assembly with a 24-hour cure window. The tool helped pinpoint the right product by unfolding all related requirements. By reducing time-consuming calls, site visits, and email chains, Ask 3M accelerates decision-making for engineers and procurement teams across industrial sectors.